Bernie Parent, the greatest goalie in Philadelphia Flyers history and a two-time Stanley Cup champion, died Sunday. He was 80.
The Flyers confirmed the news, calling Parent a beloved player and one of the “most popular figures in the history of the organization and city of Philadelphia.”
Parent is a true Flyers legend, and one of only six players in team history to have his number retired by the franchise. He’s also considered one of the best goalies of all-time.
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Parent spent his first two seasons with the Boston Bruins, but was left unprotected in the 1967 expansion draft. The Flyers picked him up in that draft and initially expected Parent to split time with Doug Favell in the net. But injuries to Favell opened the door for Parent to take over as the team’s main option.
That decision paid off almost immediately. After a strong first season with the Flyers, Parent announced himself as one of the better goalies in the game his second year with the team. Parent made his first All-Star team during the 1968-69 season. He followed that up with another All-Star year for the Flyers.
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During the 1970-71 season, Parent was traded to the Toronto Maple Leafs. He spent a season and a half with the team before signing with the Philadelphia Blazers of the World Hockey Association. After a year away from the NHL, he returned to the Flyers.
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The next two seasons were the finest of Parent’s career. He led the NHL in a number of statistical categories in the 1973-74 season, including save percentage, wins, shutouts, minutes and goals saved above average. Parent also led the league in shots against, making his numbers even more impressive.
That performance earned Parent an All-Star appearance, the Vezina trophy and a second-place finish for the Hart Memorial trophy.
The Flyers went on to win the Stanley Cup that season, with Parent taking home the Conn Smythe trophy.
He was almost as good the following year. During the 1974-75 season, Parent led the league in wins and shutouts. He once again made the All-Star team and won the Vezina trophy. Parent finished fourth in the Hart Trophy voting this time around.
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Parent once again won the Stanley Cup with the Flyers, picking up yet another Conn Smythe Trophy.
Injuries limited Parent during the 1975-76 season. He spent the next three seasons in Philadelphia, making one more All-Star team.
Parent likely would have continued playing following the 1978-79 season, but retired at 34 after he was struck in the eye by a stick during a game. He lost sight in that eye for a few weeks. It eventually returned, but not to a level necessary for Parent to continue playing.
He was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1984.